Our support/My support

[grafikhaus]

entertainment - we go to the games for enjoyment; To be entertained! It's like going to the theatre, the cinema, the pub, out for dinner etc.

Ah, but it's not. Football inspires strange, unique behaviour, we all know this. If Sainsbury's pisses us off, we go to Tesco or Asda. If a meal out is bad, we don't go again. And as for the cinema, almost every film is crap nowadays.

No, we know, and the clubs know that a lifetime of devotion which started with our dad taking us along and will probably end up having our ashes scattered on the pitch, is priceless. We're in this for life! (Apart from when you bump into an old mate and he tells you he now has 'better things to do'. Oh yeah? Washing the car? Walking the dog? Walking around Meadowhall?)

We go hoping that this game - this game - will be the one you will remember forever (Forest play off).

That's why, when a snake in the grass like Coyle walks out, it's deeply worrying for football. If the fans ever start displaying 'loyalty' like the managers and the players, the game is in trouble.

 

[Linz]

Why else do you go to United matches?

Nowt better to do

It goes back to the same thing conversations like this inevitably get to... hope versus expectation.

I go to Bramall Lane in the hopes I will be entertained. Invariably, I am disappointed but not life-shatteringly so - everything that goes along with supporting football is still there (boozer, mates, family etc.) and the alternatives (shopping, egg-chasing, staying at home like a social outcast) don't really appeal. It's something that's occupied my Saturdays for as long as I've had Saturdays to myself and I enjoy watching football, regardless of the result.

Some people, I think, pay their twenty odd quid to go to Bramall Lane and expect to be entertained. They are always disappointed, no matter what because no matter what is served up, they always, against all the odds, logic and every shred of judgment they should have, expect better.

I just hope the latter lot don't own cats!

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'm looking to take my daughter to her first away game but these idiots are the ones who put me off.

We've talked about going to the Doncaster game as it seems an nice safe starting point.

But I've got to admit I'm not 100% of our own fans.

 

[alcoblade]

I'm looking to take my daughter to her first away game but these idiots are the ones who put me off.

We've talked about going to the Doncaster game as it seems an nice safe starting point.

But I've got to admit I'm not 100% of our own fans.

I take my 2 lads (not often enough away mind) and have never had any issues. Then again, I'm a bone headed 16 St individual, so perhaps that helps...

UTB

 

[Linz]

I'm looking to take my daughter to her first away game but these idiots are the ones who put me off.

But I've got to admit I'm not 100% of our own fans.

I've been pushed flat over by a pissed cretin and his mate jumping over his seat and landing on me while celebrating. When Foxy managed to gently remove them from my back, they started on him. Apparently "she shunt fuckin' come to football if she can't fuckin' stand it" and "dunno what the fuck she's whinging at". I hadn't said a word... just wouldn't have minded celebrating without my forehead being rammed into the seat in front and a fat twat's knees in my back.

They were promptly booted out at half time for smoking in the toilets... ensuring the lass that "shunt fuckin' come" saw more of the game than they did.

It's a good job I have a lot of mates who are Blades who are the exact opposite of this, or else the idiots might make a bigger impression.

 

[Bramley]

I just think a lot of people have lost a bit of the sense of humour that defined what being a "Blade" was. It's difficult to put a finger on it, perhaps the malaise of Blackwell's sub-football is one of the causes, but its changes in the support and the game itself (SKY TV, plastic supporters of Man Yoo etc) that leave me more and more disillusioned.

 

[Ollessendro]

Ah, but it's not. Football inspires strange, unique behaviour, we all know this. If Sainsbury's pisses us off, we go to Tesco or Asda. If a meal out is bad, we don't go again. And as for the cinema, almost every film is crap nowadays.

No, we know, and the clubs know that a lifetime of devotion which started with our dad taking us along and will probably end up having our ashes scattered on the pitch, is priceless. We're in this for life! (Apart from when you bump into an old mate and he tells you he now has 'better things to do'. Oh yeah? Washing the car? Walking the dog? Walking around Meadowhall?)

We go hoping that this game - this game - will be the one you will remember forever (Forest play off).

That's why, when a snake in the grass like Coyle walks out, it's deeply worrying for football. If the fans ever start displaying 'loyalty' like the managers and the players, the game is in trouble.

Nowt better to do

It goes back to the same thing conversations like this inevitably get to... hope versus expectation.

I go to Bramall Lane in the hopes I will be entertained. Invariably, I am disappointed but not life-shatteringly so - everything that goes along with supporting football is still there (boozer, mates, family etc.) and the alternatives (shopping, egg-chasing, staying at home like a social outcast) don't really appeal. It's something that's occupied my Saturdays for as long as I've had Saturdays to myself and I enjoy watching football, regardless of the result.

Some people, I think, pay their twenty odd quid to go to Bramall Lane and expect to be entertained. They are always disappointed, no matter what because no matter what is served up, they always, against all the odds, logic and every shred of judgment they should have, expect better.

I just hope the latter lot don't own cats!

Interesting thoughts Linz and Grafikus. I think you we go to be entertained and you both think we go with the 'hope' of being entertained. Personally I see little difference.

Grafikus, you say that we go hoping the game will be the onhe you remmber forever, but why would you remember it forever? because you were entertained perhaps?!

I admit that there is more to football than entertainment, much, much more. However it plays a large part. Linz you say you have nothing better to do and that's just rubbish. I'm sure there are Saturdays when you might feel like an afternoon at home, visit the family, go shopping, whatever, but you go to the games hoping more a magical moment 9of entertainment!? ) like we had at Bristol earlier this season.

 

[Grecian2000]

you say you have nothing better to do and that's just rubbish.

As the only married man I can name who still has regular sex that's easy for you to say.

 

[oldblade]

passion - again I hike someone else idea (Highbury). Under NW we had a lot of passion. Often the football was poor, but we had that real 'South Yorkshire passion'. Warnock and his teams never say die attitude was fantastic. Also he was a charachter. Under Blackwell we have no passion at all. He is a Southener, someone who undertsands little about the passion of our club and a goal keeper devoid of any real tatical nouss. So when he serves up shite people get on his back.

As a slight aside on the atmosphere at BDBTL. I can think of several occasions in the last few years when it has been electric, but tell me something ..... how many ground have you been to where the atmosphere is electric when it is not a big game?

I don't think the lack of passion under Blackwell is anything at all to do with him being a southerner. Bassett was a southerner and we had huge amounts of passion for most of his managership.

As for Warnock, the football was sometimes poor, but for most of the time I don't think it was that bad - a lot better than he was ever given credit for. And sometimes, particularly during 2002-3, it was as good as anything in the last 40 years.

I agree with you about other grounds. I don't think many are any better than us in terms of noise or atmosphere. A friend of mine supports Leicester. He thinks we are loud at home and away.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Grafikhaus makes some interesting points. Entertainment maybe a factor, but it is quantified by so many other things you just wouldn't find anywhere else in life. As a football fan, your club is a unique relationship. Marriage can be ended, family can be fragmented, you can change your name by deed poll, your religion can be converted, interests can wane and change, political pursuasion can alter, gender can be re-aligned. So many of the fundamental building blocks of our lives can be changed, but for a committed football fan it is almost impossible to switch loyalty (save for the nouveau plastics like their king - Lovejoy!).

What keeps someone going to games regularly is hard to pinpoint. Loyalty is part of it, hope is a big part of it. That is fed by that sense of belonging; of being part of something bigger and of earning the unseen badge of acceptance that season upon season of turning up earns. Unless you follow one of the big 5, the memorable occasions turn up once in a blue moon and the hope that this will be one of those drives many, even through times when logic states you are pissing into the wind. The shame within this group of belonging is to miss THAT event; Darlington, Coventry, Blackburn, Leicester, Forest and all the smaller events when there was something special occured for those for whom it would mean something. To be there, to experience that collective event can be the thing that will sustain many fans through seasons and seasons of total dross.

If it can go wrong, it will go wrong;
and even if it can't, The Blades will find a way to cock it up.

That maybe the experience of Blades for generations. But in there is a spark of hope that says, 'one day, they'll do it!' And of course a healthy streak of stubborn collective superiority saying 'even if we are totally shite every week, at least I'm not a pig!'

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

If it can go wrong, it will go wrong;
and even if it can't, The Blades will find a way to cock it up.

That maybe the experience of Blades for generations. But in there is a spark of hope that says, 'one day, they'll do it!' And of course a healthy streak of stubborn collective superiority saying 'even if we are totally shite every week, at least I'm not a pig!'

This is what I explained to my daughter. I even tried to reason with her that it would be easier for her if she followed Arsenal (her mum's team). But she was having none of it she wanted to follow the Blades.

I reminded her of this on the way back from Wembley and asked if she still wanted to go to matches. She replied "at least we should win more games next year in the Championship than we would in the Premiership. We might also get to go to Wembley again which would never happen if we were promoted".

Now if an eight year old can see things that way after not moving on the motorway for 5 hours trying to get home after we have lost in the playoffs where we had played shite, (during which she nearly fainted because it was so hot), then maybe she knows enough about being a Blade already.

 

[raul]

As the only married man I can name who still has regular sex that's easy for you to say.

Who with?...

 

[LouTheBlade]

I reminded her of this on the way back from Wembley and asked if she still wanted to go to matches. She replied "at least we should win more games next year in the Championship than we would in the Premiership. We might also get to go to Wembley again which would never happen if we were promoted".

Now if an eight year old can see things that way after not moving on the motorway for 5 hours trying to get home after we have lost in the playoffs where we had played shite, (during which she nearly fainted because it was so hot), then maybe she knows enough about being a Blade already.

Top lass, it would be a better club if all our supporters could see things that way. What a Blade!

 

[Ollessendro]

I don't think the lack of passion under Blackwell is anything at all to do with him being a southerner. Bassett was a southerner and we had huge amounts of passion for most of his managership.

As for Warnock, the football was sometimes poor, but for most of the time I don't think it was that bad - a lot better than he was ever given credit for. And sometimes, particularly during 2002-3, it was as good as anything in the last 40 years.

I agree with you about other grounds. I don't think many are any better than us in terms of noise or atmosphere. A friend of mine supports Leicester. He thinks we are loud at home and away.

Your first point is entirely correct. It's irrelevant that he is from the South; I take that back. All the other points still stand mind.

Agree with your sentiments about Warnock.

I remember the Lane being electric for several big games: Forrest home, Scousers at home (CC semi), beating Arsenal in the FA cup (95?), losing to Man U in the wind in FA cup (94) and several league games (Man City 96, several premiership games). However it's mainly for big occassions. But is this not the same for all clubs?? Man City and Leeds are potential outliers, but I haven't witnessed a non big game that's had an electric atmosphere. The best atmosphere I witnessed was when we lost to Sunderland in the play offs in 98. The astmosphere was incredible and the noise the home fans made was immense. At other times the stadium of Light looks quiet and half full.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I'd also say I think the atmosphere was better under Harry and Warnock than it is currently.
It's almost apathetic.

 

[BornOnShorehamStreet]

As the only married man I can name who still has regular sex that's easy for you to say.

Maybe, but does the wife know....

Coat

 

[davidpinder]

I'm looking to take my daughter to her first away game but these idiots are the ones who put me off.

We've talked about going to the Doncaster game as it seems an nice safe starting point.

But I've got to admit I'm not 100% of our own fans.

Yorkshire derby not sure how safe, how old is she? I'd be tempted to look at Newcastle people may laugh but a big crowd so i can't see us trying anything.

 

[Ollessendro]

I'm looking to take my daughter to her first away game but these idiots are the ones who put me off.

We've talked about going to the Doncaster game as it seems an nice safe starting point.

But I've got to admit I'm not 100% of our own fans.

To be honest Bob I think you'll be ok. I've been to a host of United away games and rarely encountered much trouble. Sure I had a pissed idiot threatening to hit me at QPR last year, but he was objecting to me mouthing off at Brian Howard. He was out of order, but it wasn't like I was an angel.

Now I don't go to as many United games as Linz and Fxy, but I can say that the vast majority of away games are an enjoyable experience. Sure there will be idiots there but the trick is to avoid them. Get there well before the kick off and pick your seats (I know we have seat numbers but they are rarely stuck to and we hardly ever fill the away end). Don't stand too close to the back and don't choose shit seats. The beered up idiots will arrive inbetween 2.55 and 3.10 and take up unoccuppied seats. You'll be able to spot them a mile off from the clothes that they wear and the way that they carry themselves. If you find yourself near them, then move away. I know it's not always as simple as that, but I hate the fact that a few idiots are ruining it for other people.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Yorkshire derby not sure how safe, how old is she? I'd be tempted to look at Newcastle people may laugh but a big crowd so i can't see us trying anything.

Yeah I did think that, but in all honesty it just emphasises my point that I'm more concerned about our fans than theirs.

Cheers though Dave.

 

[BarcaBlade]

just had me put 10 minutes to analysing why this has happened and I think it's this.

Whilst the points you make seem pretty valid, don't forget to add in that you're getting older.

 

[Linz]

If we do decide to go I think I may see where you guys are sitting.

There's a small group of 6 of us but it wouldn't hurt to know where the more level headed Blades are sitting.

Aye... the more the merrier

Now I don't go to as many United games as Linz and Fxy, but I can say that the vast majority of away games are an enjoyable experience...

Oh don't get me wrong... a lot of the complaints from me are more in the mildly irritating category, I wouldn't try and get to so many away matches if it wasn't the case.

As for Donny Bob... we went last season and it is a fairly "sterile" place to take your lass too. As a small ground, it doesn't really get too crowded on the concourse and the worst of the Donny yoof I've encountered actually support Wednesday and won't pay to watch their home town club.

It's a bit difficult to get a drink though if you're planning on giving her the full pre-match experience

Whilst the points you make seem pretty valid, don't forget to add in that you're getting older.

Aren't we all BB, aren't we all...

 

[maxtheblade]

You don't have to go it's your choice!

Sad to say it but that is my choice on it at the moment - haven't been since the Ipswich game. It was so bad that night I decided I wouldn't waste money going again while Blackwell was in charge. How can a game with six goals and a late comeback be so devoid of any entertainment? It's a shame, and I miss it but I'm a stubborn tw@ so I won't go back on it.

And to echo Keenzy's comment about it being a chore, pretty much every ST holder I know says they're waking up on matchdays at the moment and thinking 'oh god, I've got to go there again'.

 

[the magic man]

And to echo Keenzy's comment about it being a chore, pretty much every ST holder I know says they're waking up on matchdays at the moment and thinking 'oh god, I've got to go there again'.

Max, i also echo this sentiment. Im not really looking forward to going satdi. Not only the football, but the bloody weather. the cold is getting boring now!! If it wasn't for the fact of several pints of good ale I don't think i'd be bothering. I've never really felt apathetic about going to see the blades before this season - i've always quite looked forward to it to be honest. I suppose the awful football and the disappointment of last season doesn't help, but there just seems to be something missing at the lane this season

 

[Ollessendro]

there just seems to be something missing at the lane this season

Passion, magic man, passion.